Posts Tagged ‘Orbiter’
More Bitter Than Sweet
What can you say? It is the end. The last launch of the most successful American Human Space Flight Program, in fact the most successful HSF program in world history, after thirty years. Fourteen people have given their lives riding these magnificent birds striving to [Read More]
Interview Updates
The Space Show interview and parts of the CBS interview are now online. You can download The Space Show interview here or you can download it from iTunes. You can view parts of the CBS 60 minutes interview here. The entire 60 Minutes interview will be broadcast later this [Read More]
We Do All We Can Do-Space Shuttle Workforce Tribute
Below is a music video (hat tip goes to Mark Bray of Braynstorms.com) giving tribute to the Space Shuttle Workforce written and performed by Dan Keenan and Kenny McLaughlin who both worked at Kennedy Space Center. I know many of the people in the video and you [Read More]
Rocketman to Appear on the Space Show After Launch Friday.
Friday, July 8th, I will be appearing on The Space Show with Dr. Livingston 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm EST shortly after the last launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Dr. Livingston and I will be discussing my reflections on the launch, and what it was like to work in the Space [Read More]
Fading Away Into Mythos
Mythos is a Greek word meaning story or legend. Many myths throughout culture were just that, myths. But, sometimes, those myths actually had some truth to them. How does a real event become a myth? How does something that we accept today become a legend or myth to [Read More]
A Surreal Day
Last Thursday I received a email invite from Brevard Workforce, asking me to participate in a Townhall meeting hosted by CBS news anchor Scott Pelley for the show 60 Minutes. On Saturday I drove over to Brevard County and had the most surreal day I’ve had for a long [Read More]
Shuttle Launch Director’s Message to His Firing Room Team.
Mike Leinbach, the launch director at Kennedy Space Center, ran the final launch simulation the other day in prepreation for the final Space Shuttle launch scheduled for July 8th. He took a minute or two to speak to his entire Firing Room Team and most eloquently summed [Read More]
Talk About Chutzpah! Obama to Visit KSC For Endeavour’s Last Launch.
Florida Today reports that Obama is planning to attend the last launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour. Talk about chutzpah! It was just one year ago when Obama came to KSC with his minions, hid from the workers whom he had lied to during the campaign, and killed [Read More]
“Houston Discovery, For the Final Time, Wheels Stop.
It’s been a couple weeks or so since Discovery ended her very last mission and I have been struggling about what to write. As regular readers know, Discovery was the first Space Shuttle I worked on and has always been very special to me. RV-103 was named in honor [Read More]
That’s My Girl!!!
On February 24th, 2011, OV-103 Space Shuttle Discovery launched for the last time into space. Discovery was the first Space Shuttle I had the privilege to work on and she has always been my favorite. I have watched many launches since Columbia’s first launch, and [Read More]
The Space Show Interview Is Now Online
Last night I appeared on The Space Show hosted by Dr. David Livingston. The interview went so well that it went a half hour over the scheduled time. There were many good calls and email questions from all over the world and Kennedy Space Center. I wanted to thank the [Read More]
STS 133 Discovery’s Final Rollout
Monday evening I turned on NASA TV and watched Discovery (OV-103) do her very last rollout to Launch Complex 39 A. As I was watching the rollout, I called some friends still working at Kennedy Space Center to chat. It was for them, as it was for me, very bittersweet. [Read More]
The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same.
The editorial below was written by Jim Slade in 1991 for ABC Radio. It applies to our situation now as it did then. Jim Slade 1991 More of Jim’s writings can be found here. [Read More]
An Idea Whose Time May Have Come.
America’s Human Space Flight program (HSF) is a mess. With the attempted cancellation of Constellation by the politician in the White House Mr. Obama, 535 members of Congress fighting over two other options of their creation, America’s HSF program is truly [Read More]
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
The RV-103 lecture series visited the elementary schools in Olean NY this week. The 5th grade curriculum for NY schools has the students learning about space related topics starting that year and talk about an enthusiastic groups of kids! The kids got to hear a [Read More]
Rocketman Featured in Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine
The October/November issue of the Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine has done an article called “Throttle Down” by Tom Harpole. The article is written about the end of the Space Shuttle Program and the economic devastation it will cause to Brevard County [Read More]
Start of Discovery’s Final Voyage
Today, Space Shuttle Discovery (OV-103) rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building to be stacked and mated in preparation for being rolled out to Launch Complex 39A. This will be Discovery’s 39th and last mission. Though Discovery launched on her first mission August [Read More]
Put Your Face In Space!
From the NASA web site: “Fly Your Face in Space NASA wants to put a picture of you on one of the two remaining space shuttle missions and launch it into orbit. To launch your face into space and become a part of history, just follow these steps: First…Select the [Read More]
Join the Misadventures!
RV-103 is proud to announce the RV-103 Lecture Series. The RV-103 Lecture Series is designed to present to civic groups, schools 5th grade and up, and scout troops what it is like to be involved and work in Human Space Flight, specifically the Space Shuttle Program. The [Read More]
05-26-10 Space Shuttle Atlantis Comes Home for the Last Time?
Space Shuttle Atlantis arrived home for the last time today. After a picture perfect mission to the ISS, Atlantis safely arrived at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility and was put to bed in OPF 1. Well done OPF 1 and the United Space Alliance TPS crew! Ken Ham, the [Read More]
Time Lapse Video of Shuttle Discovery
This was done by the Air and Space Museum during Discovery’s last mission prep and launch. This is my ship and my former co-workers. I think this is the fastest I’ve ever seen them move. Well done OPF 3, TPS, and United Space Alliance. Enjoy! [Read More]
05-14-10 Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on Her Last Mission?
Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on her last mission after 25 years of service. The launch was flawless and the Atlantis mission to the ISS is to deliver science experiments and a new Russian laboratory. Try to make some time to visit the NASA channel and watch this [Read More]
Neil deGrasse Tyson on What NASA Means to America’s Future
Mr. Tyson was speaking at the University of Buffalo recently when he was asked about Obama’s cancellation of our Human Space Flight program. I truly wish I was as eloquent as he is when it comes to explaining why we need Human Space Flight as a nation. Please take 4 [Read More]
That’s My Girl!!! Fly Baby Fly!!!
Early Easter Morning Shuttle Discovery (OV-103) lit up the pre-dawn sky from Launch Complex 39A. She was the first ship I got to work on when I was employed by United Space Alliance and is what RV-103 is named after. From the NASAwebsite: Discovery Lifts off An exhaust [Read More]
Inside OPF 3, the Home of OV-103 Discovery
I have a treat for you all. Astronaut Mike Massimino recently took a video camera into my old work place, Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at Kennedy Space Center. In the video you will see a few of my former co-workers of United Space Alliance preparing Shuttle Discovery [Read More]
Endeavour is Safely Home
Endeavour landed safely at Kennedy Space Center at 10:20 pm EST. The crew installed the last major piece of the International Space Station. Only 4 more shuttle launches until Obama kills our Human Space Flight Program. Well done to the crew, the contractors, and my friends [Read More]
Off Topic, but Important
Though this is a blog chronicling the misadventures of the crew of RV-103, many of you know I am retired from Kennedy Space Center and Human Space Flight is near and dear to my heart. A major event recently occurred that I want to comment on. It is not a launch, but [Read More]
Endeavour Launches!
This picture was taken by my friend Larry Tanner. He was on the outside staircase at the Launch Control Center way past his bedtime to get this shot. The LCC is only 3 1/2 miles from the Pad. [Read More]
Endeavour Launch Rescheduled
According to NASA: “Managers officially have scheduled space shuttle Endeavour’s next launch attempt for Monday, Feb. 8 at 4:14 a.m. EST. [Read More]
The Beginning of the End
Space Shuttle Endeavour, or OV-105, will be launching early Sunday Morning, February 7th 2010, at 04:39 am EST. This will be the last night launch of the Space Shuttle Program and after this mission, only 4 more shuttle flights will be left before the program is ended in [Read More]
